Dawson Simpson (knee) and Nathan Vardy (hip) were restricted to a combined 16 games in 2013, while recruit Hamish McIntosh (knee and ankle) has not played since Round 7 last year when he was at North Melbourne.

Trent West was the Cats' most durable ruckman this year, but the club's willingness to trade him to the Brisbane Lions for pick 41 in this month's national draft highlights its belief it can't be that unlucky again.

The fitness of McIntosh, Vardy and Simpson is critical given the position was Geelong's glaring achilles heel this year, particularly in the shock qualifying final loss to Fremantle in which Aaron Sandilands dominated.

McIntosh, who has struggled mentally with his prolonged absence, will report for pre-season training with the Geelong youngsters on November 18 in a bid to finally bury his fitness problems.

Cats football manager Neil Balme said the 29-year-old had made progress from knee, achilles and ankle problems, but admitted the coming months would be key.

"We're trying to put all of it behind him and we're quite confident he'll be OK next year, but he's still got a bit of work to do and he's still got too show he's resilient enough to push through it," Balme said.

"If he can do all the work, clearly he'll be able to play but we have to see. We have said that before but we're confident he can.

"He's pretty good shape at the moment."

Simpson had been in solid form before he strained the medial ligament and dislocated the kneecap in his right knee against St Kilda in Round 18.

"He's come through that pretty well and is in good shape," Balme said.

"We'd be very surprised if he didn't do the full pre-season and be ready to go as well."

If that pair can string games together it will allow Vardy to fill the void left by the departure of James Podsiadly to Adelaide, along with Shane Kersten.

Daniel Menzel, recovering from a fourth knee reconstruction, is targeting a June return, while Cats medicos are hopeful Tom Hawkins' back issues can be solved with a long period of rest.